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1898-O S$1 MS68 NGC. The 1898-O dollar had a curi

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1898-O S$1 MS68 NGC. The 1898-O dollar had a curi
<B>1898-O<S$1> MS68 NGC.</B></I> The 1898-O dollar had a curious effect on the rare coin market when perhaps as many as a thousand bags were released by the Philadelphia Mint in October 1962. Formerly a key date and virtually unobtainable in mint condition, suddenly multiple thousands of examples were available in nice Uncirculated grades. Predictably, the price plummeted from $300-$400 per coin to just over face value. What was not expected, though, was the effect the release of multiple bag quantities of 1898-O, 1903-O, and 1904-O dollars would have on the rare coin market. Logically, one would think it would depress the market. But what actually happened is it energized the market and brought in thousands of new collectors, people who could now buy a former rarity for silver content. The same thing happened 15 years later when LaVere Redfield's holdings hit the market: the prediction was it would depress the market, but instead many new collectors were brought into the fold and the silver dollar market overall benefited.<BR> The enormous quantities of 1898-O dollars that were in the 1962 release are basically all nice coins, ranging from MS63-MS66 in grade. However, if Bowers' estimate of a million plus coins can be believed, this coin is literally a one-in-a-million opportunity. Other than a single piece certified by PCGS as MS68 Deep Mirror Prooflike, it is the finest known by either of the major services. The surfaces are nearly perfect, but a magnifier will yield a few tiny imperfections for the diligent searcher. Of course, none of these are of any consequence visually as none are perceptible to the unaided eye. As one would expect, each side is covered with thick, satiny mint luster and the striking definition shows complete detailing. Brilliant throughout. Population: 1 in 68, 0 finer (3/05).